MLBTR Originals

Here’s a look back at MLBTR’s original analysis and reporting over the past seven days:

With the season’s first month in the books, Tim Dierkes updated his free agent power rankings for next offseason, listing the 10 players who appear poised to earn the most money if they hit the open market over the winter. Tim also included two honorable mentions who could crack the top 10 if their current performances continue.

Mark Polishuk examined four low- to mid-tier players who improved their respective stocks with strong first months in their contract years. The group is headlined by Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler, who has been among the majors’ top players in the early going.

Steve Adams countered Mark by detailing eight contract-year players who dug themselves early holes in April. Steve focused on players who entered the campaign looking primed to land deals of at least three years in length during free agency next winter.

On this week’s edition of the MLBTR Podcast, Steve joined host Jeff Todd to discuss the hype surrounding Tim Lincecum’s showcase, the outstanding performance the Phillies’ young pitching staff has delivered so far, and the upswing in financial mechanisms (particularly Fantex) that players may be able to use to secure guaranteed money while retaining future earning upside. A new episode of the podcast isreleased every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher.